Latest news with #NWPA
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deep Isolation Welcomes Presidential Action to Reinvigorate U.S. Nuclear Waste Disposal Program
BERKELEY, Calif., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, applauds the suite of executive orders signed by President Donald J. Trump on May 23, 2025, which prioritize revitalizing the nuclear industrial base, accelerating the deployment of advanced reactors, and advancing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal. The executive orders represent a historic federal commitment to unlocking the full potential of nuclear energy, including a clear directive to develop a national policy for managing SNF and evaluating recycling and reprocessing pathways. They task the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with other federal agencies, to recommend near-term actions for SNF disposal and to strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel cycle. These actions signal a shift toward enabling permanent solutions for America's growing inventory of nuclear waste. 'For decades, America's inability to dispose of its nuclear waste has remained an unresolved challenge,' stated Rod Baltzer, CEO of Deep Isolation. 'We welcome the administration's commitment to resolving it. A credible, near-term pathway for permanent disposal is essential, and Deep Isolation ꟷ together with its U.S.-based supply chain partners ꟷ is ready to contribute to this national priority.' Despite over 40 years since the passage of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), the U.S. still lacks an operational geologic repository for SNF. Today, over 92,500 metric tons of SNF remain in temporary storage at more than 70 sites across 35 states, a backlog that continues to grow by approximately 2,000 metric tons each year. More than 27 years overdue, the federal government has still not begun accepting commercial SNF for disposal, with significant financial consequences: $50.4 billion in the Nuclear Waste Fund (NWF) from utility ratepayers remains largely unused. $2 million per day in taxpayer liabilities ꟷ totaling $11.1 billion as of 2024 ꟷ has been paid in legal judgments due to the Department of Energy's failure to meet its obligations under the NWPA. The estimated future liability for failure to dispose of the waste is at least $37.6 billion as of 2024. Deep Borehole Disposal: A Viable, Near-Term Solution Deep borehole disposal (DBD), once confined to laboratory analysis, is now a commercial reality. Thanks to sustained private investment and strategic partnerships, Deep Isolation has advanced this solution from a theoretical concept to a mature system ready to begin the licensing process. The company's patented solution for directionally-drilled deep borehole repositories combines innovation from the U.S. oil, gas and nuclear sectors to provide disposal solutions for long-term nuclear safety. Key enablers include: A robust U.S.-based supply chain comprised of leading firms. The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center in Texas, a public-private nonprofit launched in 2023 to conduct full-scale demonstrations. A licensing-ready system, optimized through Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) co-developed with DOE and industry partners. Strategic Partnerships with Recycling Leaders 'Deep Isolation is proud to collaborate with U.S. leaders in reprocessing and advanced reactor fuel cycles,' said Chris Parker, Chief Commercialization Officer at Deep Isolation. 'We welcome the administration's determination to accelerate the implementation of these exciting technologies.' Deep Isolation's existing partnerships with leaders in this sector such as Curio, Oklo and SHINE underscore the administration's recognition that, even after recycling, residual high-level waste remains ꟷ and still requires a disposal solution. Policy Alignment and a Path Forward The new executive orders direct the DOE to bring forward national policies on SNF and HLW management, evaluate private-sector reprocessing options, and identify disposal pathways. They acknowledge what experts, communities and industry leaders have long recognized: permanent disposal is essential, and flexibility in both technology and siting is key. Deep Isolation strongly supports: The launch of a national program for disposal, building on the momentum created by these executive orders and their commitment to public-private partnerships to advance recycling, reprocessing, and disposal capabilities. The emphasis on use of DOE sites as an accelerator for new reactor deployment, which we believe can also valuably be applied to demonstrate disposal technologies. A single deep borehole demonstration at a National Laboratory site, for example, could both establish U.S. first mover advantage in a potential $600 billion global market and permanently dispose of a DOE-owned waste stream. The reform of the NRC to enable faster decision-making while upholding the agency's reputation for scientific rigor, transparency, and highest levels of safety. Deep Isolation's own safety assessments demonstrate that its repository designs, which can be constructed in under two years, significantly exceed the NRC safety standards established for Yucca Mountain, underscoring that speed and safety can and must go hand in hand. 'Recycling can reduce nuclear waste volumes, but only disposal ensures it is safely isolated from people and the environment,' said Baltzer. 'That's why we are investing in permanent, deep geologic solutions. The Executive Orders mark a turning point for American innovation, science, and leadership. We have the tools and the technologies and, with these Executive Orders, we now have the political commitment to act. What we need next is execution. Deep Isolation, together with our supply chain partners, is ideally placed to turn this into reality, and we look forward to collaborating with the Department of Energy to put into practice the exciting vision that the President has set out.' Read the full executive order: Reinvigorating the nuclear industrial base About Deep Isolation Named as one of Goldman Sachs' Top 30 Startups in carbon capture, hydrogen power, and nuclear energy, Deep Isolation is the first company commercializing nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. It offers a uniquely tailored solution to help countries complete the necessary steps to dispose of their waste inventories. With 87 patents issued to date, it leverages proven drilling practices to safely isolate waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories. Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) was developed through a three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), and is engineered to support integrated management of spent fuel and high-level waste from advanced reactors across storage, transportation and eventual disposal. Details of Deep Isolation's existing partnerships with US nuclear recycling companies are set out in earlier announcements on the company's website: SHINE Technologies, Curio Legacy Ventures and Oklo Inc. For more information, visit media inquiries, please contact: media@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
When and where to celebrate Pride Month events around Erie, Pa., in June 2025
The Northwestern PA Pride Alliance is celebrating Pride Month throughout June with events ranging from happy hours to its annual pride parade. Through an extensive online search, we've found several events that help celebrate Pride Month around the Erie area. If you know of an event during Pride Month that is not listed here, send the full details to nsorensen@ 'We want people to see us:' Erie transgender community rallies, shares experiences The NWPA Pride Alliance will hold its monthly Queer Happy Hour at the Zone Dance Club at 133 W. 18th St. on June 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This event will be a way for attendees to kick off Pride Month, make new connections and enjoy a night out in a welcoming atmosphere. Pride on the Bay is back for 2025 and will be held at Liberty Park June 28 from noon to 5 p.m. This event will focus on celebration, community and LGBTQIA+ visibility while featuring live music, entertainment, food vendors and other opportunities to connect with local organizations. All are welcome to Pride on the Bay. The Northwest PA Pride Alliance is hosting its annual Pride Parade, and the organization states the event is an opportunity to advocate for equality, justice and empower the Erie community. Parade participants will line up on 11th and State Streets at noon on June 29 and the parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Aging with Pride, an organization made up of LGBTQ seniors and allies, is hosting a game night at Werner Books at 3508 Liberty St. on June 11 starting at 5 p.m. This event is open to anyone and participants are encouraged to bring games or cards. Here are some events that neighboring communities have planned to mark Pride Month: Warren County Pride will be celebrating Pride Day all day on June 14. The schedule is filled with events including drag shows, drag queen bingo, guest speakers, cosplay and costume contests, music, a limbo contest and more. Food trucks will be on site until 4 p.m. You can find the full schedule of events on On May 31 at 10 a.m., Jamestown Pride will host a kickoff rally at the Robert H. Jackson Center at 305 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown, New York. The rally will feature the raising of Jamestown's progress pride flag designed in 2018 based on the rainbow flag from 1978. This event will include refreshments, speakers from Jamestown and opportunities to purchase Jamestown Pride shirts. The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts will be showing the R-rated film "Pride." According the center's website, the film focuses on the summer of 1984 as Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers' families. Initially rebuffed by the Union, the group identifies a tiny mining village in Wales and sets off to make their donation in person. This showing will take place on June 4 starting at 7 p.m. at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown, New York. Opinion: Why May 16 is a day to honor our LGBTQ+ elders Silent Legacy Band, a tribute to the music of Melissa Etheridge, will perform at Jamestown's Pride Festival, on the third floor of Wicked Warren's at 119 W. Third St., in Jamestown, New York on June 7 at 6 p.m. The band will perform a setlist comprised of Etheridge classics spanning her decades-long career. The annual Pride Festival in Ashtabula, Ohio will take place at Walnut Beach Park in the Ashtabula Harbor on June 21 from noon to 6 p.m. At this festival, attendees will find food trucks, vendors and entertainment from drag queen and kings. Other events include family friendly entertainment like bouncy castles and face painting. Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Pride Month events: Where to celebrate around Erie, Pennsylvania
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historic first concert at new Rebich Investments amphitheater
Liberty Park offered up an evening of music and fun. Country music star Rodney Atkins made a stop in Erie. The artist is known for such hits as Take a Back Road and It's America. Shows continue for Pizza Bomber play benefitting NWPA Mental Health Association And the show was the first under the new agreement between Erie Events and the port authority. It also marks the first concert under the newly renamed Rebich Investments Amphitheater. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Route 77 intersection closing for construction on Monday for summer
(WJET/WFXP)– Drivers who frequently use Route 77 in Bloomfield Township will need to account for a change in their commutes this summer, with one intersection set to close May 12 for most of the summer. Route 77's intersection with Route 8 will close on May 12, weather permitting, as crews get into the busy work of realigning the intersection. Maintenance starting on I-79 bridges, expect delays: PennDOT Detours will be in place using Route 408, Route 8, and Route 89 until late August when the intersection reopens. Drivers may still encounter temporary lane restrictions and traffic pattern shifts with traffic controlled by flaggers on Route 8. During construction, crews will be installing a new flashing beacon at the intersection along with making improvements to the shoulder on each side of the road, paving, guide rail, drainage, road signs and pavement markings with the goal of being done by October 31. Line painting jobs in NWPA counties kick off PennDOT estimates the project will cost $2,994,994 and will be paid for using state and federal funds. A full list of PennDOT projects in the NWPA area is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
PennDOT urging careful driving in work zones amid busy construction season
As construction season ramps up, PennDOT is advocating for drivers to be on the lookout for those orange and white traffic cones on the roads. And for you to be extra cautious while going through work zones. Nobody loves waiting in traffic when it slows down as you go through a work zone. But the consequences of not doing so are literally life and death. Spring is here and so is PennDOT construction season in NWPA Each year, there are estimated to be more than 1,400 work zone crashes throughout Pennsylvania. In 2024, 22 people were killed in those crashes, and many more were injured. And since 1970, 91 PennDOT employees have died in workzone-related incidents. If people obeyed work zone rules, that number could have been zero. 'As we all know, it just takes a split second for something to happen. Whether that's a piece of equipment backing out in front of you or a worker walking nearby on the side of the road. All it takes is one or two seconds there and that could cost somebody their life,' said Saxon Daugherty, safety officer for PennDOT District 1. Reflecting on the stellar career of legendary Erie DJ Mojo McKay 'We're just asking that they show extra caution, just like they were if they were the worker in the work zone, or their family members were in the work zone, we want them all to go home safely to their families at night,' he continued. When entering a work area, follow the posted speed limit, avoid any distractions, double your following distance, pay attention to all signs and flaggers, and be patient. Violations are taken seriously and even if you don't think police are around to catch you, many areas are photo-enforced. According to pennsylvania state police, if you're caught going just 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in a work zone, you'll automatically lose your license for 15 days per state law. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Fines for traffic violations are doubled for active work zones and drivers can receive up to five years in jail and additional time if someone is killed in a crash inside the zone. 'Just alone in the northwest corner, we've got 100 projects for our construction season in District 1. Multiply that across all of pennsylvania and that doesn't even include all of our maintenance workers that are out doing minor maintenance work across the summer. You're going to see a lot of work zones as you're out and about in the commonwealth. Just keep those things top of mind as you're traveling,' Daugherty went on to say. Uncertainly lingers for food banks, farmers following federal funding cuts You can look ahead to see where work zones are utilizing 511PA. Plan your route ahead of time, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area you're heading to. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
